Sheffield Wednesday are hoping midfielder Sam Hutchinson (back) will recover from a knock in time to play at the Riverside.

The thoughts of the boss

"I expect a difficult game. Sheffield Wednesday are a team who try to play football, but I think that’s good for us because we have problems against teams that just play long balls.

"We don’t know how to play like that and we have problems playing against those kind of teams, but they are a team who try to play, have a good manager and a good team.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka (Image: Action Images)

"We lost against them in the last minute 1-0 last season and we’ll be trying to beat them.

"[Our start] has been good and that has given us confidence. We haven’t got a full squad, we are playing with some players who didn’t have a full pre-season and players who only came in two or three weeks ago.

"It’s important to add points when you’re not at 100 per cent.

"We are confident at home with our crowd supporting us and this season we have to be strong at home."

Opposition's view

Defender Liam Palmer insists there will be no hangover to shake off when the Owls arrive on Teesside.

Wednesday suffered late heartbreak in midweek against Millwall conceding an equaliser with almost the last kick of the game.

"We will just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and get on with it," Palmer said.

However, the 25-year-old is expected to recover to take his place in the Owls’ engine room tomorrow afternoon.

Targeting a second successive win on the road this season Wednesday will look to Hutchinson to add endeavour and creativity - and Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton will need to stand up to the challenge.

What's the form?

Kike secured the points with a clinical second half strike, notching his third goal in four games for promotion-chasing Boro.

Having conceded only two goals this season, one being Craig Davies’ penalty at the Macron Stadium and the other Billy Sharp's late winner at Elland Road, Boro are keeping it tight at the back and will target another clean sheet tomorrow.

Seven goals in their last four matches, Boro are not shy in front of goal either and after three consecutive away games they will be looking forward to return to the Riverside.

Kike celebrates scoring against Bolton

The omens look good for Boro - they have only lost twice in the league at home in 2014 and scored 10 goals in their last five clashes on Teesside.

After another average season in the Championship last year things are starting to look a little more rosy at Hillsborough.

Unbeaten this season and having conceded only one goal in four matches, Stuart Gray’s side are looking up and sit one point behind Boro at this early stage.

Wednesday would even have found themselves sitting joint top of the division on Tuesday had they not conceded a late equaliser at home to Millwall.

An opening day win at Brighton, followed up with home league draws with Derby County and Millwall, the Owls will be full of confidence when they arrive at the Riverside tomorrow.

BORO’S LAST FIVE

Aug 19 (a) BOLTON W 2-1

Aug16 (a) LEEDS L 0-1

Aug 12 (a) OLDHAM W 3-0 (League Cup, 1st rd)

Aug 9 (h) BIRMINGHAM W 2-0

May 3 (a) YEOVIL W 4-1

Last five homes: W 2-0, W 3-1, L 1-2, W 3-1, W 1-0

WEDNESDAY’S LAST FIVE

Aug 19 (h) MILLWALL D 1-1

Aug 16 (h) DERBY 0-0

Aug 12 (h) NOTTS CTY W 3-0 (League Cup 1st rd)

Aug 9 (a) BRIGHTON W 1-0

May 3 (a) IPSWICH L 2-1

Last five aways: W 1-0, L 1-2, W 4-2, D 3-3, L 1-2

Benito Carbone played for both Boro and Sheffield Wednesday (Image: Action Images)